Ghana, Qatar cement relations after decades of “progressive” ties

ACCRA, Ghana––The West African nation of Ghana and the Arab Republic of Qatar have cemented their diplomatic relation with the opening of Ghanaian embassy in Qatar’s capital Doha after more than 30 years of “progressive” relations between the two countries, according to a local daily.

Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, said “The bilateral relations between Qatar and Ghana will be further expanded, strengthened and consolidated” after the opening of the embassy.

Botchwey expressed appreciation for Qatar’s efforts to facilitate the speedy opening of Ghana’s embassy in Doha.

She also hailed the appointment of the Ghanaian Ambassador to Qatar in March as a significant milestone in “the progressive developments in the relations” between the two countries.

Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani visited Ghana last December and signed several agreements with the West African country in multiple sectors.

Diplomatic sources in both countries say Qatar and Ghana have maintained economic and investment cooperation since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1982.

The outreach by Qatar to most part of Africa is vital considering its fragile relations with many Arab nations. On June 5, 2017, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt abruptly severed diplomatic, trade and transport links to Qatar.

Unlike several other African countries, Ghana did not adhere to the Arab quartet. Instead, it voiced its support for a Kuwait-backed dialogue to resolve the crisis.